Bacon carton



g-13,1963 w. R. SAIDEL ETAL 3,100,598

- BACON CARTON Filad NOV. 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIAM R. SAIDELJOSEPH M. HEIGL INVENTORS /4]'TORNEY Aug. 13, 1963 w. R. SAIDEL ETAL3,100,593

' BACON CARTON Filed Nov. 9, 1959 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM F. SAIDELSEPl-l M. UEIGL 1N VEN TORS United States Patent 3,lt i ,598 BACUNCARTUN William R. Saidel, Park Forest, and Joseph M. Heagl,

Glen Ellyn, Ill, assignors to fiwift 3 Company, Chicago, lit, acorporation of Illinois I Filed Nov. 9, 1959, See. No. 851,602

11 Claims. (Cl. 229-37) This invention relates in general toimprovements in the art of packaging and, more particularly, toimprovements in reclosable cartons adapted to enclose and confor-mgenerally to the shape of a group of shingled strips of material such asbacon.

In the packaging of food products such as bacon, sliced beef, and othermaterials packed in flat, layer-type packages, it is important that thepackagepresent a neat and attractive appearance and be convenient forconsumer use. To this end, the package should closely conform to theshape of the material packaged. It should be reasonably sturdy andretain its shape throughout use and shipment; and it should be easilyopenable to facilitate removal of all or a part of the contents.Further, it is preferable that the package can be reclosed securely--after it has once been opened. In this way, the remaining portion ofcontents may be retained and stored within the original package.

While many packages have been designed to meet several of therequirements, there is still a need for improvernent. Particularlyneeded are simple packages possessing a high degree of rigidity whenthey are both opened and closed. Generally, packages currently on themarket completely unfold when opened. The result is that, whereprovision is made for reclosing, the package, it must usually becompletely refolded about the'contents. Also, packages having areclosing feature are comparatively complex and expensive to fabricateand assemble.

3,100,598 Patented Aug. 13, 1963 ice j FIGURE 5 is a partial perspectiveview, similar to FIGURE 3, showing the package of the second embodimentas it appears reclosed.

Initially, the package blank is cut and scored from a sheet of suitablerelatively stiff packaging material to provide joined top and bottompanels, side flaps joined to both ends of the latter panel, and arefoldable flap along one edge of the top portion. The refoldable flapextends across the upper edge of the top (as viewed in FIGURE 1.) and isadapted to be folded about and secured to the open edge of the bottomportion. The bottom portion (or the sidewalls joined thereto) includesmeans for resecuring the top in folded condition after the package isfirst opened.

Package blanks so produced exhibit a plurality of diecut, crease-scored,cut-scored, and perforated lines. By crease-scored lines we mean thoselines which are pressed or indented in the surface of the paperboard, orother equivalent packaging material, by a relatively blunt die.Crease-scored lines preferably do not break or cut the surface of thematerial, but are provided to enable the material to be folded alongthose lines. The term cut-scored refers to fold lines wherein only thesurface of the material is severed by partially cutting the materialwith a relatively sharp die. However, both crease-scored and cut-scoredlines are to facilitate bending the package rather than breaking it.Cut-scored lines provide an even weaker area at which to bend thematerial and eliminate bellying or distortion of the material surfaceadjacent the scored line, such as is found with crease-scoring.Perforated lines are lines of weakness provided where the blank is to bephysically separated or broken, rather than merely bent or creased.While, in general, crease-scored The present invention is directed to apackage which completely encloses the product and satisfies the abovenoted requirements. It has been devised to overcome the deficiencies ofthe prior art. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention toprovide an irnproved package for shingled, sliced material which issimple to reclose after being first opened.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved package blankfor sliced product which is economical to manufacture and use.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a bacon folderblank having improved means for initially closing, opening, and thenreclosing the package.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reclosable packagewhich exhibits a high degree of rigidity in both the open and closedconditions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved baconpackage adapted to be folded about and completely enclose a shingledgroup of bacon slices, which generally conforms to the shape of thedraft of product and will not completely unfold upon being opened.

Additional objects and advantages, if not specifically set forth herein,will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the interior surface of the preferred packageblank in unfolded condition;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a folded and sealed package comprisingthe blank of FIGURE 1 folded about ing the package as it appearsreclosed;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the interior surface of a second embodimentof the package blank in unfolded 7 condition; and

lines are sufficient to provide all of the folds in this package, wehave found it preferable to cut-score the blank at certain points whichwill be particularly noted in the following description.

As previously indicated, each blank, generally 10, is divided into twomajor portions, namely, a bottom 12 and a top 14, by score line 16. Thetop panel 14- may be conveniently provided with a window 18 which is cutfrom the blank 1G in the same initial. cutting and scoring operationthat forms the blank. 'Iwo side flaps 20 and 22 extend from the left andright side, respectively, of the bottom 12, adjacent the ends of line16. A wall section 24 defined by a pair of bowed score lines 26 and 28separates the body of side flap 2t]- from the bottom 12 proper. As maybe seen in FIGURE 1, the lines 26, 23 are joined at their ends at line16 and near an outside edge 30 of bottom 12, but bow outwardly toprovide midsections which are straight and substantially parallel to andspaced from one another. A similar wall section 32 is provided betweenthe body of the right side flap 22 and bottom 12 by a pair of lines 34,36. Each wall section 24, 32 generally follows the profile of theshingled material to be enwrapped. The end portion of the pairs of lines25, 23 and 34, 36 converge and may be either straight or curvedcrease-scored lines. Preferably, the ends are curved as shown in thedrawings. The mid-sections of score lines 26, 28, 34, and 36 may becut-scored to insure that the wall sections 24, 32 will not be bentlongitudinally between the bowed score lines.

A plurality of strengthening ribs 38 are located on walls 24, 32transverse to the straight mid-sections of score lines 26, 28 and '34,36, respectively. Ribs 33 may conveniently be provided by crease-scoringthe blank as shown in FIGURE 1. Two additional score lines 40, 42 extendfrom the lower juncture (as seen in FIGURE 1) of lines 26, 2'8 and 34,36, respectively, to the outside 0 edge 3t? of bottom 12. Lines 40, 42are preferably cut- 7 top 14 when it is folded thereover.

proper sealing of the package. The outside edge 30 preferablycontainsarcuate notches 44, 46 at the ends of score lines 40, 42,respectively. Additionally, arcuate notches 48, 50 are located at theperipheral junctures of score lines 26, 28, 16- and 34, 36, 16,respectively. Such notches provide the folded package with roundedcorners, thereby lessening the possibility of causing damage to otherpackages with sharp corners.

-Referring now to the top portion 14 of the carton blank 10, thesidesS-Z and 54 thereof are cut substantially symmetrical (withreference to crease line 16 dividing the. top and bottom portions) tothe crease lines 28,

4i) and 34, 42, respectively, on the bottom portion 12. Window 18 may beprovided in the top portion 14, as illustrated. When this is done, it isdesirable to glue in place a transparent film, such as cellophane orrubber hydrochloride, or other greaseproof and transparent materialhaving a high gloss low water absorption and good resistance tostretching and wrinkle development.

The distance between score line 16 and the outside edge 56 of the topportion 14 exceeds the corresponding distance between the score line 16and outside edge 3% of the bottom portion 12. However, score line 53extends the'width of top 14 parallel to score line 16 and spacedtherefrom a distance substantially equal to the distance between crease16 and outside edge -30. The sides 52, 54 contain arcuate notches 6h,62, respectively, at the ends of score line 58. That part of the topportion 14 extending beyond crease line 58 to the outside edge '56 formsa closure margin 64 which will be turned underthe outside edge 30 of thebottom portion 12 when the package is sealed. This closure margin 64 isdivided lengthwise into three sections by a pair of perforated lines 66,68. The outside edge 56 may bevnotched at lines 66, 68, and the cornersof the margin 64 may be rounded as illustrated. The large section ofmargin 64 between 66, 68 constitutes a refoldable flap 70 which isreleasably scalable to the underside of bottom portion 12 by means ofspaced stripes of adhesive thereon.

At the crease line 58, the perforated lines 66, 68 turn inwardly to joinwith a second pair of parallel perforated lines 72, 74, respectively,forming a neck of lesser width than the refoldable flap 70. These linesof perforation extend downwardly a short distance and then turnoutwardly extending to the slides 52, 54, respectively, of the topportion 14. It may be seen that perforated lines 66, 72 and perforatedlines 68, 74 form a, pair of detachable corners on the outside edge 56of the top 14. Adhesive issolidly applied to these corners both aboveand below score line'58. I

An engaging means for resecuring the refoldable flap 70 is locatedadjacent the outside edge 30 of bottom portion 12. Preferably theengaging means, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, comprises a recess 76 cutinwardly of the free edge 30 about of an inch. The ends of recess 76 aresquare cut and are located to correspond to the width of the neck formedbetween perforated lines 72, 74.

Concerning the side flaps 20, 22. (asviewed in FIGURE 1) the upper edgesthereof are slightly beveled just below a projection of score line 16 sothat, when bent inwardly across bottom portion 12, they will tend toslide under The lower portions of side flaps 20 and 22 are reduced inwidth and cut perpendicular to ajuncture with the outside edge 30 ofbottom 12. These straight edges of flaps 20 and 22 are cut parallel tocrease lines 40 and 42, respectively, a distance equal tothe distancebetween those crease lines and the ends of the-recess 76.

A,suitable adhesive is applied to areas at each side of crease lines 40and 42. Thus, when the flaps are folded inwardly to form the end walls,the areas to which adhe- I sive hasbeen applied may be bonded togetherto hold the walls and flaps permanently in place. In practice, we havefound that it is preferableto use a thermoresponsive adhesive for allthe previously mentioned applications. Vinyl acetate resin emulsion issuitable; however,

other types of adhesives and glues, including pressuresensitiveadhesives, may obviously be used. 7

The carton blank thus described is formed into a pack- 7 age in thefollowing manner. A group of shingled slices of material, such as bacon,is first placed on the bottom portion 12 of the carton blank 10. Theside flaps 20, 22 are then turned upwardly, creasing along lines 28 and34. The flaps are then turned inwardly and creased along lines 26 and36. At this point the inturned flaps may be secured to the bottomportion by means of adhesive applied adjacent to crease lines 40 and 42;or, if the adhesive is thermo-responsive, they may be sealed by a laterstep. In either instance,-while the inturned flaps are held in place thetop portion 14 is turned upward and forward and creased along score line116 so that the upper surface of the sliced material and flaps 20 and 22are covered thereby. The closure margin 64 is then turned downwardlyunder the bottom portion 12 by creasing along line 58. Finally, theclosure margin 64 is secure-d in place by adhesive previously applied tothe areas illustrated in FIGURE 1. If the thermoresponsive adhesive isused, it is merely necessary to apply heat and pressure along the closededge of the package to form all of the seals. Additional glue seals maybe applied between the top and side'fiaps 2t), 22 if desired.

To open, the consumer need merely grasp the refoldable flap 70 which,because of the striped adhesive thereon, is less firmly secured to thebottom portion 12 than at the corners, and tear forwardly along theperforated lines 66, 63. The entire top is then pulled upwardly from thepackage by lifting the refoldable flap 70, tearing along the perforatedlines 72 and 74, and breaking the blue seals, if any, on flaps 2t}, 22.This will expose the contents of the package, which will be onlypartially restrained by the infolded flaps 2t. and 22. Obviously, it isthen a simple matter to remove any desired amount of the contents frombeneath the flaps.

To reclose the package, it is simply necessary to fold the top l4 downacross the contents and pull the refoldable flap '70 beneath the outsideedge 30 of the bottom portion 12. When this is done, the crease line 58will be bent about the edge of the recess 76 and the narrowed neck areabetween perforated lines 72 and 74 will he engaged within the recess 76.The wider refoldable flap 70 will then remain in place since it is toowide to pass thnough the recess 76. The package may then be reopened andreclosed any number of times that the consumer desires.

A similar carton blank and package having a modified engaging means forreclosure is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. Parts corresponding to thepreviously described embodiment are denoted by like reference charactersbearing the subscript a. The modified embodiment includes a pair ofprojections 82, 84 at the lower corners of end flaps zea and 22a,respectively, while the recess along the lower outside edge 30a (of thepreferred embodiment) is omitted. Also, onthe top portion 14a perforatedlines 86, 88 extend straight downwardly below the closure margin 64a andthen outwardly to sides 52a, 54a without forming a narrowed neck portionbeneath the margin 64a. For simplicity, the second embodiment has notbeen shown to include strengthening ribs or corner notches. 1 Themodified package is initially folded in the same manner as previouslydescribed. In the originally sealed position, perforated lines 36, 88will correspond roughly to the lower edges of inturned flaps Zthzand22a, respectively. The package is first opened in the same manner bygrasping enclosure flap 70a and tearing along the perforated lines 86,88. However, .when it is desired to reclose the package the top portion14a is inserted under the projections 82, 8.4, and the closure flap 70ais then turned under the free edge 36a of the bottom portion iZa. Toreopen, it is merely necessary to pull the top portion from beneathprojections 32, 84.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention ashereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit andscope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed asare indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiffpackaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, saidblank comprising: a bottom panel; a top panel divided from said bottompanel by a score line; a closure margin extending across said top paneloppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin beingadapted to be folded under an edge of said bottom panel opposite saidscore line; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel,said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldableflap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachablecorners; and an engaging member connected to said bottom panel at saidedge thereof, said engaging member adapted to overlie the opposite endsof said refoldable flap to resecure said refoldable flap when foldedabout said edge subsequent to detachment of said corners at theinitialopening of a package formed from said blank.

2. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiffpackaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, saidblank comprising: a bottom panel; a top panel divided from said bottompanel by a score line; a closure margin extending across said top paneloppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin beingadapted to be folded under an edge of said bottom panel opposite saidscore line; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel,said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldableflap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachablecorners; and a recess in said bottom panel along said edge, said recessbeing of a lesser dimension than said refoldable flap whereby therefoldable flap may be resecured in folded position subsequent todetachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formedfrom said blank.

3. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiffpackaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, saidblank comprising: a bottom panel having a single outside edge; a toppanel divided from said bottom panel by a score line, said top panelbeing disposed oppositesaid outside edge; flaps extending from oppositesides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said flaps beingdivided from said bottom panel by score lines; a closure marginextending across said top panel oppositely "disposed from said bottompanel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded ,under said bottompanel at the outside edge thereof and secured there to; a pair ofdetachable corners included in said top panel, said corners includingthe ends of said closure margin;

a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between saiddetachable corners; and an engaging mem- 7 her connected to said bottompanel at said edge thereof,

said engaging member adapted to overlie the opposite ends of saidrefoldable flap to resecure said refoldable flap when folded about saidedge subsequent to detachment of said corners at the initial opening ofa package formed from said blank.

4. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiffpackaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, saidblank comprising: a bottom panel having a single outside edge; a toppanel divided from said bottom panel by a score line, said top panelbeing disposed opposite said outside edge; flaps extending from oppositesides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said flaps beingdivided from said bottom panel by score lines; a closure marginextending across said top panel oppositely disposed from said bottompanel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under said bottompanel at the outside edge thereof and secured thereto; a pair ofdetachable corners included in said top panel, said corners includingthe ends of said closure margin; a refoldable fiap comprising theremainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and a recessin said bottom panel along said outside edge, said recess being of alesser dimension than said refoldable flap whereby the refoldable flapmay be resecured therein in folded position subsequent to detachment ofsaid corners at the initial opening of a pack-age formed from saidblank.

5. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiffpackaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, saidblank comprising: a bottom panel; a top panel extending from said bottompanel, said top panel adapted to be creased and folded across the bottompanel; side flaps extending from the sides of said bottom panel adjacentsaid top panel, said fiaps being foldble inwardly upon said bottomportion to form side Walls having generally rectangular mid-sections andtapering ends corresponding to the profile of said product; a closuremargin extending across said top panel oppositely disposed from saidbottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under andsecured to said bottom panel at an outside edge thereof; a pair ofdetachable corners included in said top panel, said corners includingthe ends of said closure mangin; a refoldable fiap comprising theremainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and engagingmembers connected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof, saidengaging members adapted to overlie the said top panel adapted to becreased and folded across the bottom panel; side flaps extending fromthe sides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said flaps beingfoldable inwardly upon said bottom portion to form side Walls havinggenerally rectangular mid-sections and tapering ends corresponding tothe profile of said product; a closure margin extending across said toppanel oppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure marginbeing adapted to be folded under and secured to said bottom panel at anoutside edge thereof; a pair of detachable corners included in said toppanel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; arefoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between saiddetachable corners; a necked area on said top panel immediately inwardlyof said closure margin defined by the inner outline of said detachablecorners, said necked area having a lesser dimension than said refoldableflap; and a recess in said bottom panel along said outside edge, saidrecess corresponding to the dimension of the necked area of said toppanel and adapted to engage said refoldable flap subsequent todetachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formedfrom the blank.

7. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stilfpackaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, saidblank comprising: a bottom panel having a single outsideedge; a toppanel extending from said bottom panel opposite said outside edge; sideflaps extending from the sides of said bottom panel adjacent said toppanel; wall sections at said sides of said bottom panel, each of saidwall sections defined by a pair of bowed score lines on each flap, saidlines having straight and parallel mid-sections tapering tointersections at each end; a closure margin extending across said toppanel, said margin being adapted to be folded about the outside edge ofsaid bottom panel and secured thereto; a pair of detachable cornersincluded in said top panel, said corners including the ends of saidclosure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of saidmargin between said detachable corners; and corners engaging memberscon- 7 Y nected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof, said engagingmembers adapted to overlie the opposite ends of said refoldable flap toresecure said refoldable flap when folded about said edge subsequent todetachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formedfrom said blank.

' panel articulated to an edge opposite said outside edge of said bottompanel, said top panel overlaying said bottom panel and walls; a closuremargin extending across said top panel, said closure margin being foldedabout said outside edge and secured to the underside of said bottompanel; a pair of corners included in said top panel and detachabletherefrom, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; arefoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between saidcorners, said corners eing secured more firmly to said bottom panel thanthe refoldable flap; and an engaging member connected to said bottompanel at said edge thereof interiorly of said top panel, said engagingmember adapted to overlie the opposite ends of said refoldable flap toresecure said refoldable flap when folded about said edge subsequent tor 8 Walls at said outside edge, said projections being folded inwardlybetween said top and said bottom panel and extending to the area of saidtop adjacent said refolda-ble flap.

11. A reclosable carton for packaging shin-gled, sliced food product,said carton comprising: a bottom panel, said bottom panel having arecess in one edge thereof; Walls extending upwardly from opposite sidesof said bottom panel, said Wall s having generaly rectangularmid-sections and tapering ends; a plurality of strengthening ribspressed into each wall; a top panel articulated to said opposite edge ofsaid bottom panel, said top panel overlaying said bottom panel andwalls; a closure margin extending across said top panel, said closuremargin being folded about said one edge and secured to the underside ofsaid bottom panel; a pair of corners detachable from said top panel,said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldableflap comprising the remainder of said mangin bet-ween said corners and anecked area on said top panel immediately inwardly of said closuremargin, said refoldable flap being secured Jess firmly than said endportions of the closure margin to said bottom panel whereby it may bedetached therefrom and from said corners and resecured in said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS SniderNov. 19 1912

1. AN IMPROVED PACKAGE BLANK CUT AND SCORED FROM RELATIVELY STIFFPACKAGING MATERIAL FOR ENWRAPPING SLICED AND SHINGLED FOOD PRODUCT, SAIDBLANK COMPRISING: A BOTTOM PANEL; A TOP PANEL DIVIDED FROM SAID BOTTOMPANEL BY A SCORE LINE; A CLOSURE MARGIN EXTENDING ACROSS SAID TOP PANELOPPOSITELY DISPOSED FROM SAID BOTTOM PANEL, SAID CLOSURE MARGIN BEINGADAPTED TO BE FOLDED UNDER AN EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL OPPOSITE SAIDSCORE LINE; A PAIR OF DETACHABLE CORNERS INCLUDED IN SAID TOP PANEL,SAID CORNERS INCLUDING THE ENDS OF SAID CLOSURE MARGIN; A REFOLDABLEFLAP COMPRISING THE REMAINDER OF SAID MARGIN BETWEEN SAID DETACHABLECORNERS; AND AN ENGAGING MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID BOTTOM PANEL AT SAIDEDGE THEREOF, SAID ENGAGING MEMBER ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE OPPOSITE ENDSOF SAID REFOLDABLE FLAP TO RESECURE SAID REFOLDABLE FLAP WHEN FOLDEDABOUT SAID EDGE SUBSEQUENT